Transportation

From Vienna Airport (VIE), the fastest link to the centre is the City Airport Train (CAT), while the regular OeBB S7 train and railjet services are cheaper and reach the city quickly too. City buses and taxis or ride-hailing also serve the airport. Salzburg and Innsbruck airports are close to their centres by bus. Buy tickets from machines or apps on arrival.

Vienna has an excellent, integrated network of U-Bahn metro, trams and buses run by Wiener Linien, clean, frequent and easy to use. One ticket covers all modes within the zone. Salzburg, Innsbruck and Graz have good bus and tram systems too. Buy single tickets or 24 to 72 hour passes, validate before or on boarding, and the metro runs all night at weekends in Vienna.

Austria has no single nationwide tap-and-go card like some cities; instead you buy tickets and passes. In Vienna, get a 24, 48 or 72 hour pass or the Vienna City Card through the Wiener Linien app or machines, which is far better value than single tickets. Many travellers simply buy mobile tickets in apps. For rail, the OeBB app stores tickets on your phone.

Taxis in Austria are safe, metered and reliable, easy to find at ranks or by phone. Ride-hailing with Uber and Bolt operates in Vienna and some larger cities, often convenient and priced upfront in the app. For most city journeys the metro, tram or bus is cheaper and quicker. Confirm the fare or use the app to know the price before you ride.

Driving is on the right and roads are excellent, making a car handy for the countryside, lakes and Alpine villages, though cities are best explored on foot and transit. To use motorways you must buy and display a vignette toll sticker or a digital equivalent. In winter, winter tyres are required in wintry conditions and mountain passes can close. City parking is limited and paid, so weigh a car against Austria's strong rail network.

Austria has an excellent intercity rail network run by OeBB, with fast, comfortable Railjet trains linking Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Linz and Graz, plus scenic regional lines through the Alps. Trains are frequent and punctual. Book popular routes ahead for cheaper Sparschiene fares, though you can travel spontaneously too. There are also cross-border services to Germany, Italy and beyond.

Download the OeBB app for train tickets and the Wiener Linien app for Vienna transit. Buy a city time pass if you will move around a lot, and remember to validate tickets where required. Trains are punctual, so arrive a couple of minutes early. For the Alps, check weather and book Railjet reservations on busy routes. Save 112 for emergencies and keep a little cash for small purchases.